18-Year-Old Bayern Munich Phenom Decides To Play For The US Over Germany In A Huge Coup

Julian Green, one of the best young players in Germany, has
decided to play for the United States instead of Germany, US
Soccer announced on Tuesday.

The news comes after Bayern Munich, Green's club team, announced
that it would let him train with the U.S. men's national team
before an April friendly against Mexico.

Green, an 18-year-old winger, was born in Florida but grew up in
Germany. He represented Germany as a youth international, but has
the right to make a one-time switch to the U.S. at the senior
level under FIFA rules.

Green has applied for the switch, US Soccer announced.

U.S. coach Jurgen Klinsmann was excited:

“We are absolutely thrilled that Julian Green has chosen to be
a part of the U.S. National Team Programs!"

Green has been destroying the German 4th division with Bayern
Munich's "B" team, scoring 15 goals in 19 games. He also played
in a Champions League game as a reserve this year.

It's a huge coup for Klinsmann.

Since he has taken over he has recruited dual citizens from
Germany, Mexico, and Iceland to play for the U.S. national team.

While Green is his biggest
recruit yet, he's widely considered too young to meaningfully
contribute at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. In
addition, the U.S. has a shaky history of over-hyping
both young players (Freddy Adu) and highly-touted dual citizens
(David
Regis).

There are whispers that
Klinsmann would give Green a spot on the U.S. World Cup team
if Green agreed to play for the U.S. now. If Green does make the
team at just 18 years old (and without playing a single qualifier
for the U.S.), that rumor — and the ethical implications it
presents — will only intensify.